“He knows what he needs to do. He has kept his head up and it shows he must have been working hard in training to get back into the team." - Ciaran Clark

Darren Bent’s return to action has been welcomed by Villa team-mates who hope the record signing still has a future at the club.

Bent was given a 24-minute run-out as a substitute replacement for Gabby Agbonlahor in Saturday’s goalless draw against Stoke at Villa Park.

It was the 28-year-old striker’s first appearance since a cameo in the Capital One Cup win at Swindon on October 30 and first Premier League game since coming off the bench in the draw with Norwich three days earlier.

Bent, whose five-week absence was due to injury and falling out of favour with manager Paul Lambert, received a loud ovation from the Villa Park faithful who chanted his name when he entered the field.

And Ciaran Clark admits the goal-getter is still a popular figure in the claret and blue dressing room.

“He’s a deadly finisher and you know he will score goals,” said Clark.

“That’s what the fans want to see, they want to see people scoring goals.

“I’m sure if he had half a chance he would have stuck it in the net. It was just one of those days where he didn’t get a chance.

“I think a lot of people have been writing him off already. It is just one of those things.

“He did well and all we can do is see how he does in the future.”

Asked if Bent had remained bubbly despite his first team absence, Clark replied: “Of course, he has always been the same.

“He has never changed and that’s what you expect from Darren.

“He has just got on with things, he is a good pro and a very experienced lad.

“He knows what he needs to do. He has kept his head up and it shows he must have been working hard in training to get back into the team.

“It just shows how professional he is in how he has kept going no matter how many downs he has had.

“He is back in there now and he was just unlucky not to get a chance.”